Five Coffee County 4-H members recently represented the county at the Tennessee 4-H Academic Conference held June 9–12 at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. More than 220 delegates from across the state attended the annual event, which provides middle school youth with hands-on learning experiences related to their project areas while introducing them to college life.

Coffee County delegates attending the conference were Willow Gipson, Kasi Hill, Kinsy Gunter, Bailee Willis, and Maggie Gunn.

Throughout the week, delegates participated in tours, workshops, and educational sessions designed to deepen their knowledge of their selected project areas. Willow Gipson, representing the Plant Sciences project area, toured several greenhouses across the UT Knoxville campus and learned about plant production and research. Dairy project delegates Kasi Hill and Kinsy Gunter, along with Beef project delegates Bailee Willis and Maggie Gunn, attended educational sessions hosted by the UT Beef and Forage Center, where they explored topics including forage quality and livestock management.

In addition to project-specific learning opportunities, delegates experienced campus life by staying in university residence halls, dining in campus facilities, and exploring the University of Tennessee campus. These experiences help youth gain a better understanding of college life while building leadership skills and friendships with fellow 4-H members from across Tennessee.

The conference concluded with a banquet recognizing participants and celebrating the accomplishments and experiences of the week.

Additional photos from the event can be found on the Tennessee 4-H Facebook page. Coffee County 4-H would also like to thank Tennessee Farmers Cooperative for serving as a major sponsor of the conference and helping make these educational opportunities possible for Tennessee youth.

The Tennessee 4-H Academic Conference provides an outstanding opportunity for middle school students to explore career interests, develop new skills, and experience life on a college campus. Youth interested in attending next year’s conference are encouraged to contact Mr. Neil Slone at the UT-TSU Extension Office in Coffee County for more information.

For more information about Coffee County 4-H programs and opportunities, contact Mr. Neil Slone, Coffee County 4-H Agent, at Nslone1@utk.edu or 931-723-5141.